[TowerTalk] Joining sections of aluminum mast

[john at kk9a.com]

No one should recommend what size and type of mast material without knowing
the specifics of your installation.  Depending on the length and windload
there could be a lot of antenna twisting and mast bowing plus eliminating
slipping with multiple short pieces bolted together could be a challenge.

GL
John KK9A  

Dave KØEKL wrote:

To ease maintenance I want to relocate my rotator to the bottom of my tower.

The existing mast is 2" diameter ¼" wall 6061-T6 aluminum tubing. The rotor
is 8 feet below the top of the tower / thrust bearing.

What is the best way to join additional lengths of tubing together to reach
the bottom? I'm thing about buying tubing that is 2" ID, cutting it into 18"
or 24" sections, slitting it and slipping it over the 2" OD sections to be
joined and clamping with SS U-bolt clamps like those sold by DX engineering.
Will this provide enough coupling friction between sections to prevent
slippage?

Also, can I get away with using 1/8" in wall 2" OD tubing from the existing
mast to the base of the tower or should I use ¼" wall all the way to the
bottom.

Thanks.

-Dave K0EKL